Slat-fence-wire twister



(No Model.)

S. J. BLANKENBAKER.

I .SLAT FENCE WIRE TWISTER. No. 486,025. Patented Nov. 8,1892

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SILAS J. BLANKENBAKER, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

SLAT-FENCE-WIRE TWISTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent ITO/186,025, dated November 8, 1892.

Application filed June 11, 1892. Serial No.436,292. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SILAS J. BLANKENBA- KER,a citizen of the United States, residing at Louisville, in the countyof Jeiit'erson and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence-Wire Twisters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to a device for twisting the upper and lower wires, consisting of two strands each, in which the pickets of picket fences are held, and is intended to secure such pickets firmly in place and to give stiffness and rigidity to the fence.

In the drawings, Figure 1. represents a panel of a picket fence in process of construction and with my improved wire-twister in position on the strands of wire, and Figs. 2, 3, and 4 represent different positions which the twister assumes in the operation of twisting the wires.

In the different figu res likeletters indicate like parts.

My improved device consists of a middle portion A, at the upper end of which are the parts B and G and at its lower end the parts D and E.

B is composed of two similar pieces, between which the upper end of A and part of G are pivoted at b and a, respectively. D also consists of two similar pieces, between which the lower end of A and one end of E are pivoted in like manner at (Z and 6, respectively.

C and E are at the free ends each faced on both sides with metal plates 0 and provided on each edge of C and E with notches f for engaging with the strands of wire Z.

A is composed of two parts, united by the band g and bolt h, engaging in the series of holes i, so that the device may be accommodated in length to different distances between the upper and lower wires of the fence. It is obvious that a slot may be substituted for the series of holes i.

X are the fence-posts, Y the pickets, and Z the strands of wire.

In practice, with my invention the notches f are engaged with the upper and lower strands of wire Z, which have been attached to and stretched on the posts X in any appropriate way, and in such manner as to pr0- vide for the shortening of the wires as they are twisted. Starting with the device in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the handle 0" is forced down between the pieces of B to the position shown in Fig. 3, and is then pulled around until it takes the position shown in Fig. 4.. In this operation the upper end of A passes under and to the opposite side of the upper wire. The part A is then pulled upward and toward the other side of the fence, causing the lower end of A to pass over and to the opposite side of the lower wire, the device at the end of the operation taking the position shown in Fig. 4, thus twisting the strands of both wires in one direction. Then by operating the device in reverse order it twists the strands of wire in the other direction. The device being applied to the wires, as above, they are twisted, as described, next and close to a post or picket, so as to fix the latter firmly in place. Then the device is drawn along the wires, a picket inserted, and the wires twisted close to it, but in an opposite direction, and so on, sliding the device on the wires, inserting pickets, twisting first in one direction and then in the other until the panel of fence is completed.

Having fully described my invention, what Iclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A fence-wire twister comprising a middle section formed in two parts, adjustably secured together by a band and bolt, as described, an upper section formed with notches on each side to engage the wires and provided with a handle, pieces B, pivot-ally connecting this section with one end of the middle section, a lower section having notches for the wire, and pieces D, connecting the same with the other end of the middle section, all as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof Iaffix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SILAS J. BLANKENBAKER.

WVitnesses:

ANDRO ETTISON, JAMES W. BEATTIE. 

